“You sure?” she asked. When he nodded, she took the only vacant seat, the one next to Noah.
“Zoe,” Finn called without looking up from his keyboard, “you’ll be needing to take mid lane.”
“Fine, but I’m terrible solo.” Zoe heaved out a breath.
“I’m better on top lane,” Heath said.
“And I called bottom lane,” Noah added.
“I can take mid lane for you,” Caitlyn offered.
“No,” Zoe said. “You’re better in the support role because you’re always watching out for everyone on the team. But I apologize upfront if I have a poor game.”
“Don’t you be giving up on us already, Zoe,” Noah said with a wink. “I’ve been playing with them for a couple of years now, so I know their tricks.”
Zoe said nothing but shot Caitlyn a knowing glance, one brow arched. Caitlyn definitely needed to mention the bragging to Noah. That conversation was bound to earn her scowls. So much for smoothing things between them.
The battle arena game began slowly, as they always did, with the different players taking their time to build experience and gold to buy better weapons and armor. The interns were doing a decent job of defending, and it made Caitlyn wonder if the owners’ team was taking it easy on them. Darius might beover the game’s art design, but Kayn was the head programmer. He must know the game inside and out.
Her thoughts drifted to their assignment this week. There had to be ways to apply this competition to team-building and increasing trust among employees. It would be a mistake not to include some gameplay into whatever else people do at the retreats. Playing REKD was already incorporated into work requirements at REKD Gaming. Even the attorneys had to play daily, and the company provided time and locations in the facility for employees to get in their mandatory time.
When the founders’ team turned aggressive, Caitlyn had to give all her attention to the game. They lost one big team fight where all five of them were killed, and it ended quickly after that.
Noah grunted beside her, his brows furrowed, and threw himself back in his chair.
“Don’t get tilted,” Caitlyn soothed. Following the Bard’s advice that discretion was the better part of valor, she chose not to rub in the fact that Noah’s claim about their secret strategies hadn’t helped. She said, “It’s only a game.”
“‘Tis neveronlya game,” he growled.
When Caitlyn arched a brow, his face flushed.
“I hope Max does better,” Zoe said. “I’ve always wanted to learn to play jungle.”
“I propose we have a strategy session,” Heath suggested as he walked past their chairs. “This way.”
Caitlyn agreed it would be a good idea to discuss the game, but she wished it’d been her or Noah who suggested it. She was already a little intimidated with Heath being older than the rest of them by a few years. Would he try to take control? She glanced at Noah, who also stared at the other intern’s departing back.
“Didn’t Sona say Heath works from home back in Washington?” Caitlyn rose from her chair. “Does he boss people around there?”
“‘Tis a good question.” Noah’s expression turned thoughtful. “We’ll have to make it clear to him who the team leaders are.”
“Diplomatically,” Caitlyn said, alarmed at the sudden intensity in his face. “Remember, this is supposed to be about team-building and not power plays, either ours or someone else’s. We don’t want to appear insecure.”
“Appear?” Noah challenged, eyeing her.
She decided to be honest. “I can’t speak for you, but Iaminsecure. I love my job, and I want to do well.”
Noah hesitated a moment before nodding. “But ‘tis also about you and me showing we can be leaders. I’m thinking your instincts could be right. The new guy might have been included to challenge our authority.” He headed toward the door.
Caitlyn started to follow, thinking to stop him, but Mrs. Dimitriou signaled for her to wait.
“How are you feeling?” the woman asked as she approached. “You look better.”
“Much. Thank you, Mrs. Dimitriou. My stomach’s been improving a little, but anxiety about the assignment probably brought it on again.” Caitlyn gave a little gasp, remembering who she was talking to. What was she doing admitting her health issues could interfere with doing her job? But there was something about this woman that made it easy to open up.
“Don’t worry.” Mrs. Dimitriou patted Caitlyn’s hand. “And call me Eve. Everyone does. You should be fine if you just make sure you eat every couple of hours, including something with protein.”
“I will.” Caitlyn caught a glance from Sona, who watched them, her expression curious. “Thank you, Eve. I should get to my team meeting.” Caitlyn hurried out of the room, her thoughts torn between their supervisor’s look and the idea it had triggered.
